Storm Smart’s Tee Off for Take Off raises $80,000 for local veterans organization

September 6, 2018

On Friday, Aug. 31, Storm Smart hosted its inaugural Tee Off for Take Off golf tournament.

Held at Coral Oaks Golf Course in Cape Coral, Tee Off for Take Off boasted over 70 golfers who enjoyed a morning of golf, food, drinks, raffles, contests and more all for a great cause.

Partnering with Eastern Metal Supply, Storm Smart hosted the event as part of its initiative to raise funds for Collier-Lee Honor Flight, a local non-profit organization that flies World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to Washington D.C. for a full day of visiting memorials and participating in events to honor their service to our country.

Article Photos

The check presentation following the Tee Off for Take Off golf tournament at Coral Oaks Golf Course. Holding the check are Cape Mayor Joe Coviello, left, and Brian Rist of Storm Smart. At right is Rick Wobbe with Collier-Lee Honor Flight.

Since its inception in 2013, Collier-Lee Honor Flight has flown over 15 missions, transporting hundreds of veterans to the nation's capital.

The event capped off a summer of initiatives Storm Smart held to raise $80,000, the amount it costs to fund a flight filled with local veterans from Fort Myers to Washington D.C. In addition to the golf tournament, Storm Smart also donated $100 from each sale in June and August to the cause in an effort to reach their goal.

At the conclusion of Friday's golf scramble, that goal was realized as Storm Smart Executive Chairman Brian Rist and his wife Kim presented Collier-Lee Honor Flight with a check for $80,000.

"What an amazing feeling. It was a group effort of employees, volunteers, friends, families, business partners, and more who made this possible. I am so proud of everyone involved," Rist said shortly after presenting the check.

Rist's sentiments were shared by Collier-Lee Honor Flight co-founder Sean Lux, who was on hand for the check presentation, "Through this donation, over a hundred more Veterans will fly to visit and reflect at their memorials in D.C. and receive a full day of honor and respect and a long-overdue thank-you. The lives of each of these Veterans will be forever changed, as will the lives of their families and friends. Not everyone understands that this will not only change the lives of those who are on the flight but, will also have a tremendous impact on the community as a whole."3:30 p.m. The cost is $50 per